What are the socio-economic implications of South Africa's coal transition?

Jesse Burton, Andrew Marquard and Bryce Mcall have authored a new paper on South African coal, which has been integral to South Africa’s energy system and economy for decades, but is increasingly uncompetitive and creates considerable risks –...

This study analyses the net employment impacts of different electricity generation capacity expansion plans on the South African economy, focusing on the potential effect of higher renewable energy deployment.

This policy brief presents the concept of a nationally determined contribution (NDC) greenhouse gas (GHG) balance sheet. The concept was elaborated in a technical paper, which informed an official submission by South Africa.

Publication: The end of coal? Planning a “just transition” in South Africa

South Africa’s coal production may decline significantly in the next few years. This report – from SEI and the Energy Research Centre – explores the impacts, challenges and key elements of that transition.

Tracking progress of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) is a central feature of the Paris Agreement and its rule-book. ERC authors have published a policy brief on tracking progress on mitigation. The modalities, procedures and guidelines (MPG) were agreed at COP 24 in Katowice.

We consider chapter III on the mitigation components of NDCs. We suggest that tracking involves tracking mitigation targets in NDCs, using self-selected indicators as well as reporting domestic mitigation measures that contribute significantly to reducing emissions. The structured summary is an important tool to track progress, linking transparency, mitigation accounting and markets. We suggest an approach in which each country tracks progress to the best of its abilities.

The good news is that we can reduce poverty and emissions at the same time in highly emissions intensive developing economies. We can only do it, however, if we take everyone along, the rich and the poor. Everyone needs to get their piece of the cake to have an incentive to change pathways.